Thank you all for the kind reviews and favorites/alerts! I'm glad to see that you all like the story so far.
I do not own Code Geass.
Blood Bound
Chapter Two: Blood and Changes
It all started with the simple and old, long, long, ago.
There were no documents on how long they'd been in existence. Only the history passed down by their own was all the world had to know of these people, these living shields.
Some say the legend travels back to a time where a man loved a woman so much, he vowed to the heavens to give him the power to protect her, and he would serve her with his life. The heavens hearing upon the man's cry cast down their grace, and the man received a tremendous power.
Battle after battle was won, and there was no enemy that could defeat him. He and the woman he loved lived in wonderful happiness, with children and a home—and he could protect it all with the power he had been given.
But the man grew weak in the heart. So many countless victories had led him astray, to a point where he knew and believed that he would win every battle, for the power had granted him such. He grew too confident, and the day came where he had turned his back for a moment, and before he knew it, the blood of his beloved stained the floor.
He had failed to protect the one he had been granted power for, and in response to his broken vow, his life was taken as hers faded away.
Thus the cycle of these strange people lived on. They would only be found on ghosts of rumors, contracts would be made, and they would be bound. People began to realize the power of such a shield—a protector, and they searched the earth for one of their own.
The people grew in hiding, moving from place to place. It was rare to have one at your side, but not impossible.
Once bound, a mark would appear, a symbol signifying the contract between two lives. A bond could not be forced, it must simply be fate. Once the bound was in place, the protector would be granted a power significant to themselves to protect the one they are sworn to.
If the charge were to die, the protector would as well. Should the protector die, the charge would live on.
And so the people were bound to this curse of a blessing.
For all eternity.
"You're where now?"
The glint of the katana-like sword reflected off the sunlight streaming in through the arched windows. I gripped the worn leather hilt loosely in my left as I held the phone to my ear, frowning at nothing in particular.
"Just another match." Lelouch answered smoothly, and there was the distinct sound of shuffling in the back that made me doubt the 'just another match' phrase. I blinked dully at the sword in front of me, as if asking it can-you-really-believe-this-guy? "I just wanted to call so that you wouldn't worry."
"You always bring me along." I shrugged off the towel around my shoulders and held the phone between my shoulder and ear, tying the cloth back around the scarred sword and securing it with a knot. The bell at the end of the chain on my neck jingled with the action. "Why not today?"
"I simply felt the need for change."
"And how am I supposed to protect you when you're miles away?" I drawled, blue-orange eyes watching as I slung the sword over my shoulder and jumping once to make sure it felt right. The bell at the end of the chain on my neck jingled in response and I grinned, tossing on a leather jacket as I made my way out of the fencing room. "Need me to pick you up?"
"Rivalz and I will make it fine." Lelouch let out a long sigh. "I'm not a child you know."
"'course I do!" I kicked the door shut behind me and trotted down the steps, coming to a halt before the motorcycle in front of me. "Lil' louch is all grown up now, right?"
"Syn..."
"Ah, you know I love you." A grin split my lips and I kicked up the stand, settling a helmet over my head as I revved the engine. I glanced back and forth to make sure the cost was clear—considering it was still lunch period, it seemed I had time. "I'll be there in a little bit! Meet you guys halfway."
"I told you it wasn't necessary—"
"As your own protector and wanna-be-knight," I narrowed my eyes as the motorcycle took off, sending me speeding across the asphalt as I rode off school grounds. "Of course I have to be there!"
Dusty gray hair swung out in the messy pony tail and I grinned, tearing through the streets as I made my way towards the 'ghetto' area, the place once formerly known as Japan, now known as Area Eleven.
There was a time long, long ago when I might have considered this place my home. But when my mother and I moved from place to place, it instead became a place of origin. Then again, Britannia might've been where I lived the longest, but it still wasn't my home.
The semi-busy streets paced back and forth with the work of people. From the Japanese, now Elevens, to the Britannians who now ran the show.
One war could change everything.
My trusty sword thumped comfortingly against my back, and I slid the cover on my helmet down to shield my eyes. Gray hair whipped out behind me and the wind constantly puffed against my face as the world passed by in a blur.
But as long as Lelouch is alright, I have nothing to worry about. I kicked the engine to a slow hum when I noticed some cars pulling over and stopping. I watched the sight curiously as people bowed their heads and put a hand to their hearts, and when I neared the street crossing, the wide screen along the building lit up.
"Now, everyone. Let us all give our condolences to the eight who sacrificed themselves for the sake of justice, shall we not?" I froze, letting my feet touch the ground as the motorcycle came to a halt. I found my gaze traveling upwards and I stared at the familiar face of a man I once knew, of the boy I'd watch paint and once or twice pose for.
Clovis. I stared at his face on the screen, memories flooding my mind. He looks well.
Curious nostalgia tempted to creep up, but I felt a small smile touch my lips as I kicked the bike back into gear, turning away from the screen and the mourning people. I'm sure they all are.
In a swift movement, I brought my hand to my heart and crossed it, daring to shut my eyes for a second before returning my focus to the road. Lelouch had said it wasn't quite necessary to mourn those who couldn't come back, but a silent farewell the way I'd been taught was enough for me to get on.
Terrorists, terrorists... War, war... Death, destruction... I made a sharp turn, figuring that from where Lelouch had said he and Rivalz were, they should be turning up soon... Is that all we hear nowadays?
The sleek motorcycle hooked up to a cart landed in my vision and I grinned, revving the engine as I shot forward, a familiar head of black and blue appearing. "Hey guys!"
Rivalz flinched, swerving off to the side for a moment before he regained his balance. "Syn! Haven't you ever heard of not distracting someone while they're driving? I could've gotten into an accident!"
"As if I'd let that happen!" I pulled in beside the two boys and Lelouch gave me a flat look under the helmet, and I returned it with a bright grin. "Heya Lelouch!"
"I thought I told you it wasn't necessary for you to come." Lelouch leaned back into the joint cart, a cool look on his face. "Rivalz and I could manage just fine."
"How am I supposed to watch over you then?" I flashed him an impish grin and Rivalz sighed, trying to focus on driving. "Besides, I missed ya!"
"Must be nice..." The blue haired boy mumbled off handedly, and I turned my gaze forward, pulling the motorcycle to an easy drive beside the two.
"How'd the match go?"
"We won."
"As always." Lelouch sighed, and I rolled my eyes. The ex-prince seemed to have caught the motion and sent me a withering glare, to which I happily ignored, focusing solely on driving instead.
"He did a weird move..." Rivalz added, and I sent the boy a curious glance. "He started with the king..."
"If the king doesn't move, his subjects won't follow, right?" Lelouch explained with ease, and I fought back a grin, feeling my eyes warm at the explanation as a rush of familiarity filled me. Typical.
"Hey Lelouch, do you want to be in business enterprising or something?"
"Of course not. Why would you think that?"
The screech of tires made my shoulders grow stiff and I eyed my rearview mirror with a frown, watching as a truck pulled up behind us. I pulled the motorcycle ahead and Rivalz followed suit, but the truck was picking up speed.
Loud honking filled the air and the truck was dangerously close, my eyes narrowed and I fell back, ensuring that if it would hit something, I would be first. Rivalz let out a cry of surprise, jerking the motorcycle to the side, and the truck suddenly made a sharp turn, barreling through cones and a safety bar as it slammed into a construction site.
My eyes widened in surprise at the collision and Rivalz pulled to a halt as I kicked down the stand, watching as a cloud of smoke began to clear. "Um... was that our fault?"
"Of course not." Lelouch replied with ease, and I set down my helmet, jogging over and peering over the side to where it'd crashed.
The ebony haired boy was beside me, peering over the wall with a confused look on his face. A strange feeling filled me and I frowned, eyeing Lelouch carefully at the wave of emotions that came from him.
"Hey, isn't that..." Lelouch started, but the boy broke off as mutters filled the air and people began to appear, cameras and phones held out to snap pictures.
"What? An accident?"
"Whoa, it looks bad..."
"What happened?"
"Maybe they're drunk?"
"How stupid."
Figures. A frown tugged at my lips and I rocked back on my heels, turning around and tossing my helmet into Rivalz cart. But Lelouch's thought were the same and the boy was already running ahead of me. A proud smile graced my lips and I caught up to him with ease as we approached the sight.
"H-hey! Guys!" I waved back to Rivalz, following at Lelouch's heels.
The cloud of dust began to clear and I frowned at the damage done, leaving the truck half imbedded into the construction site. Lelouch peered in through the beams, trying to get to the driver's side. "Hey! Are you okay?"
Using my foot as a wedge, I slipped past the ebony haired boy and peered in, barley casting a glimpse of magenta hair before the beam groaned, leaning forward. I held a hand out to keep Lelouch back, and the Britannian boy turned, scaling up the ladder that led to the top of the truck.
"Can anyone hear me?" I reached behind me and pulled my sword, using the tough metal to keep the beam propped up as I peered inwards. "Are you alright?"
Hopefully it isn't too bad... I frowned, hoping for the best as I attempted to reach in to jiggle the knob. People are hurt and there's no police?
Ah, what a cruel world.
"Syn, up here." I glanced back and Lelouch waved me over from the top of the truck. I pulled back from the wedge and gripped my sword in one hand.
"Can you get in from up there?" I slung the sword back over my shoulder and gripped the ladder, pulling myself upwards.
Lelouch opened his mouth to reply when he paused, a startled look crossing over his features for a moment. I frowned, brows instantly furrowing as Lelouch blinked, looking confused. "Lelouch—"
The tires let out a cry of protest as they grated along the floor. With a mighty heave, the truck lurched out from the half built building and quickly reversed. My grip on the ladder tightened and my eyes went wide as I pressed myself to the car, the ground suddenly moving beneath by feet.
I barely caught sight of Lelouch before he was jerked forward and into the open hatch at the top. I quickly scaled the ladder and peered over the open edge. "Lelouch! You alright?"
"Yes—but they need to stop!" Lelouch stumbled, trying to stand and I jumped down the hatch, landing on the shaky ground and stumbling a bit before leaning against the wall. "At least put the ladder inside as well..."
"They must be in a hurry." I rubbed the side of my head where it bumped into the wall and stumbled forward, gripping onto the large sphere-like shape in the center. "I don't know if we can get their attention from here—"
"Stop at once!" Lelouch and I froze, and my eyes darted to the hatch on the side of the truck, the resounding beat of helicopter propellers swinging through the air. "Right now, you can still turn yourself in for trial! Hurry up and give yourselves up!"
The truck began to jerk from side to side, nearly tossing me to the ground, and sounds like rocks being thrown at the truck echoed throughout the vehicle. I stiffened in realization that the car was being fired at, and that meant guns.
And that meant danger.
"The next attack won't miss! Give yourselves up!"
"This is no delivery truck..." I mused bitterly, sliding in next to Lelouch and peering up out the hatchet. "If we go out now we'll be shot, and we can't make the jump at this speed..."
"Then it's best to stay put." Lelouch shuffled through his pockets. "Maybe my phone..."
A door slid open and I tensed, instantly putting myself between Lelouch and the new comer, my hand gripping my sword tightly. Lelouch froze behind me, tensed and ready to go.
A young girl walked past, dark red hair like magenta, and I blinked, keeping silent as she strode past. She looks familiar...
"We can get to the subway from the other route." She shed the large coat, climbing up steps until she paused, listening to the transmission from the other end of her ear piece. "But that would be massacre!"
Terrorists with morals. I kept my sword braced in front of me in case she noticed our presence. This is new.
She disappeared up the steps and I felt myself relax, stepping aside so Lelouch could step out as well. Beeps and a low hiss resounded and the doors behind the truck opened up. I craned my neck around and blinked with wide eyes, a Knightmare frame rolling out.
Shit. Lelouch ran forward but the doors shut before he could slip out, and I blinked in disbelief as he spoke aloud my thoughts. "These guys are real terrorists!"
Knightmares... I braced myself against the truck wall, glancing from side to side as I tried to think of someway to get Lelouch safely out of this situation. And old number like that won't due much against theirs...
Ah. I blinked, shaking my head as I patted my cheeks. Focus Synthesia, your job is to protect Lelouch.
The truck lurched and swung about, the faint light coming through the cracks disappearing, and Lelouch frowned. "Judging from the darkness and the unevenness of the ground, we must be traveling along the old subway line."
"The one that leads to the ghettos?" I unwrapped my sword, the saber and katana-like blade glinting in the dim light.
"It'll be dangerous for us to get out..." Lelouch murmured, and I frowned, tapping my sword against the ground.
"What do you think I have this for?"
Lelouch rolled his eyes, bending down and picking up the radio the girl had left behind. "In a less violent approach, we'll have to rely on the military for help... I'll take this transmitter as a gift to them... Oh."
I glanced back as Lelouch blinked, looking thoughtful. "We forgot about him."
Rivalz flickered through my mind and I paused for a moment before shrugging. "I'm sure he'll be fine."
The truck began to rumble, trembling wildly as it swerved sharply. Lelouch took a seat beside the large sphere object, and I frowned, taking a step forward. "What do you think this is?"
The sphere was cool to the touch, and I tilted my head, eyeing the pipes jutting out. "It's almost like a..."
"Not you."
I flinched, recoiling back from the sphere with wide eyes as I blinked, putting a hand to my head. Lelouch stood, brows furrowing. "Syn—"
The truck lurched downwards and Lelouch and I tumbled forward. My back hit the ground and I winced, catching my breath as the truck revved up, but refused to move, meaning it was caught.
"Lelouch, are you alright?" I threw my hand out, finding my blade and gripping onto the hilt as I stood, rubbing my head. "Damn that hurt..."
"I'm fine." Lelouch reached a hand down and helped me up as I shook my head. "I think—"
The side doors hisses, a light streaming through as they began to slide open. I stiffened and herded Lelouch to the side, squinting my eyes against the sudden light as the doors slid open completely. "What are they doing?"
Lelouch stood up and placed his hands on the sphere. "If we climb up now..."
Footsteps, light and deft echoed in my ears and I tensed, whirling around as a body spun outwards, foot jutting out in a sharp roundhouse kick. "Lelouch!"
Lelouch brought his hands up to block, but the force of the kick sent him sprawling backwards. Without a second to waste I lunged forward, the soldier jerking around in surprise at my sudden appearance. His arms shot up to block my kick and I spun, pushing off him and swinging my sword around, flipping it to the blunt edge as it came down.
His foot shot out and blocked the swing and I narrowed my eyes, letting out a low growl as I pushed forward, hooking my leg beneath his and jerking, causing him to stumble back.
Not bad. He lunged, swinging his fist upwards and I ducked, the punch nicking my ear as I swung my sword. He's pretty good.
His arm came up to block and he spun, sending a sharp kick to my gut and knocking me back. I let out a hiss of pain and he shot forward, his hand at my throat as he pinned me to the ground. "Don't kill!"
"Wait," Lelouch ground out, sitting up. "You—"
"Poison gas at that." The soldier's lips curled in disgust. "Even if you try to talk your way out of it..."
"That's what I'm saying!" The soldier glanced back and I grinned, surging forward.
The pain of colliding with a helmet instead of a head was awful, but the force sent the soldier back as he stumbled before catching his footing, bringing his arms up as Lelouch stood in front of me. "It was Britannia that made the poison gas in the first place, right?"
I felt a bruise coming on but I shook aside the dizziness, standing up and brandishing the sword as Lelouch's eyes narrowed. The soldier froze; his mouth falling open slightly as he touched his head where I had head butted him. "You two..."
"'Don't kill'?" Lelouch echoed, and he scowled. "Then destroy Britannia!"
"Lelouch?" I froze at the voice, perking up as Lelouch stiffened. "Synthesia?"
It couldn't be. The soldier reached upwards and pulled down his dented helmet, and warm mossy eyes crinkled slightly as a smile pulled on the youth's face. "It's me, Suzaku."
Lelouch's eyes grew wide and I felt a smile pull on my lips as disbelief and happiness filled me. "You... So you became a member of the Britannian army?"
"What about you? So you...?" Suzaku trailed off and Lelouch blinked.
"What are you saying?"
"Zaku!" I lunged forward, the bell on my necklace jingling, and Suzaku's eyes widened as his arms shot out to catch me. I found myself grinning hugely, unable to stop the happiness rolling off me in waves. "I haven't seen you in ages! I should've recognized your lame ass fighting when we started!"
"I almost had you!" Suzaku laughed, a look of happiness fluttering across his face, replacing the hostility. "I would recognize that head butt anywhere."
"How have you been?" I stepped back, examining the boy before me. He looked well—fit, alive. "How's the military? It must suck—"
"I've been fine, Syn." Suzaku smiled, reaching out and ruffling my hair. "You look good as well."
I grinned, stepping back to stand beside Lelouch. "Well, one of us has to stay fit."
"I keep my mind fit," Lelouch muttered, and Suzaku chuckled, shaking his head.
"But what are you two..." Suzaku tensed, his face lining hard with determination. "Lelouch, Syn, this isn't—"
"We're not terrorists." Lelouch stated, rolling his eyes and Suzaku's eyes widened, a look of relief spreading across his features. "We've just managed to somehow get caught up in all of this."
"I have to say I'm relieved." Suzaku slumped and I playfully punched him on the shoulder, unable to stop the huge smile curling on my lips.
"If we were terrorists, you'd be on the ground by now." I smirked and Suzaku frowned, glancing to me with an arch of his brow.
"I've been training you know, I think I stand a fair chance. You might be the one on the ground."
"Hmm? Zaku you've gotten bold." Memories of the happy times spent with this boy before me flickered through my mind, my heart aching slightly at the thought. "It really has been awhile..."
"It really is great—" A sharp hiss filled the air and I tensed, glancing to the side as the pod suddenly began to open, a golden light streaming through. But Suzaku mentioned poison gas... My eyes widened and Suzaku lunged forward, the mask covering Lelouch's face as he knocked us both down to the ground, his free hand covering my own mouth.
The light illuminated the cavern and the three of us gazed up with wide eyes as a young woman threw her head back, jade green locks tumbling down around her as the bindings around her restricted her from any other movement.
"It's not...poison gas?" Suzaku murmured, and I blinked in disbelief as the woman's eyes fluttered open for a moment, revealing golden irises before fluttering close.
Lelouch sat up, propping the unconscious girl up as he frowned, pulling at the bindings around her mouth. "Tell me Suzaku, is this girl poison gas?"
"I didn't think they've stooped to human trafficking." I muttered, sliding my sword under one of the belts and sliding it upwards, releasing her legs.
"That's all they told us in the briefing." Suzaku explained, unzipping the bottom half. "I don't—"
I stiffened and sharp lights illuminated our figures, a row of soldiers lining the entrance. A general stood before them, eyes narrowed. "You monkey. I don't recall giving that much authority to an Honorary Britannian."
Suzaku ran forward and I tensed, one hand on my sword as I eyed them warily. "But sir, I heard that this was poison gas..."
"You don't have the right to argue!" Don't cut him off. I bit my lower lip, my grip tightening. But I don't want Suzaku to get in trouble for all of this...
"But in light of your accomplishment, I'll give you a chance." The general held a hand gun out and I froze, senses on high alert. "Private Kururugi, use this to kill the terrorists."
Suzaku's eyes widened and he glanced back to us. "They're different! Just civilians who've been caught up in this!"
The general's eyes turned cold and I felt my lips pull back in a feral scowl as my grip on the sword became painfully tight. Suzaku was a kind person, and these people obviously didn't even deserve to have someone like him serving them. "Bastard... This is an order! You pledged alliance to Britannia, didn't you?"
Lelouch grew tense and I shifted closer, ready to shove him aside if the bullets came flying.
"But I can't."
Suzaku? Relief swelled up in my chest for the long time friend, and Lelouch's eyes were wide in surprise.
"What?"
"I won't do it." Suzaku glanced back, his eyes meeting ours as he smiled brightly. "I can't shoot civilians like them."
There was a resounding click and my eyes widened as Suzaku turned.
"Then die."
The muffled shot rang out and then Suzaku was falling to the floor. My eyes widened in disbelief and Lelouch shot forward. "Suzaku!"
Suzaku? I gazed down at the fallen body, my fingers beginning to tremble as my eyes grew wide. No way... But just a moment ago...
Was he dead?
"Bastards." I murmured, anger and pain rising up in my chest as I stood, brandishing my sword as I sucked in a heavy breath. "Bastards!"
"You shouldn't fight all the time, Syn."
"It gets you places."
"I thought you were a pacifist?"
"Not when Lelouch is involved."
"Then how about you let me help? Then you can still be peaceful and protect him at the same time."
There's no way. Tears threatened to leak as a sudden sadness engulfed me, and I ground my teeth, gripping my sword tightly, the force of the grip causing it to tremble. They'll pay...
"From what I can tell, you appear to be Britannian students. How unfortunate." Lelouch was frozen beside me in disbelief and I trembled, prepared to fight tooth and nail to get him out alive. "Retrieve the woman, then kill the students."
"Yes, my lord."
Before a shot could be fired or a sword could be swung, the ground trembled and a forceful blast shot out, knocking everything aside as an explosion rocked through the subway, heat and smoke blasting in all directions. I hit the ground, covering my head as I coughed against the smoke.
My hand fumbled for my sword and another hand gripped mine. Instantly I knew it was Lelouch's, and suddenly we were running, the mysterious woman beside us as we darted down a subway tunnel, explosions rocketing the air behind us. The woman suddenly tripped, toppling to the ground, and Lelouch shook his head, holding a hand to his face. "What are you? All of this is your... And Britannia... Britannia even killed Suzaku!"
I flinched, reaching forward to help the woman up as she gazed at us calmly, golden irises revealing nothing as Lelouch shook, his hands curling into fists.
"Stairs." I murmured, and Lelouch glanced up as I gripped his sleeve, gently tugging him to the side as I nodded to the dark steps. "They have to lead up and out."
Lelouch's violet eyes met my pale blue hues and I nodded. His eyes narrowed and he glanced to the girl. "Follow us."
She inclined her head and we made our way up the stairs carefully. A streak of light appeared in my line of view, and we flattened ourselves to the steps, carefully pulling ourselves up.
"You guys wait here." Lelouch murmured, peering over the edge, and I scoffed, laying my sword in front of me as I pulled myself up. As if.
A round of shots resounded through the air and the sound of a body hitting the floor with a thud. I froze in place, Lelouch ducking down as I kept a shaky hand on my sword, as footsteps echoed in the warehouse. "How is it?"
"It seems that only Elevens are here."
"...this is the only exit around here, right?"
"Yes, based on the old maps of the town."
The sudden cry of a child rang out and I tensed, Lelouch's head shooting up beside me when a round of gunshots went off and the cry was silenced. Lelouch's eyes widened and I blinked, eyes growing wide.
This is an all out massacre. I suddenly found myself shaking in disbelief, hands trembling on the blade before me. People are dying—Suzaku might be dead.
My gaze flickered to the side where Lelouch was crouched beside me and I ground my teeth, newfound resolve steeling through me. But my fate is to protect him, and I will do so.
"You are bound."
A cell phone rang out and I froze, my eyes darting to Lelouch's pocket where he quickly silenced the phone. The footsteps came to a halt and I cursed below my breath, gripping my sword and pulling it up.
Guns appeared over the edge and I shot forward, swinging the blade in an upwards arch. Metal collided with metal and the guns flung out of their grip and I ducked low, feeling a few shots whizz by my head as I charged forward, tackling another solider down and swinging an arm out as my sword caught another.
Guns against a sword. I grimaced as something nicked my shoulder—a bullet probably. I have to make an opening somehow or—
A searing pain shot through my leg and I let out a cry of pain, crumpling to the floor. I jabbed my sword into the earth, grinding my teeth as I turned my head, spotting the bullet wound in my leg where blood was beginning to flow. Damn it!
"Syn—" The soldiers hauled Lelouch upwards, shoving him against the wall. My eyes widened in fury, but a gun shoved itself to the side of my head, forcing my face down to the ground.
"Bastards!" I spat, and a foot kicked the sword from my hands, the butt of the gun shoved to the side of my head. "Let him go—"
"Let her go!" Lelouch exclaimed, glaring at the soldiers before him. "She's just a civilian—"
"A fitting location for terrorists to die." The general smirked and I growled, feeling my heart thud against my chest rapidly at the sight of the guns being pointed at Lelouch. He can't die. He can't die.
"You guys..." Lelouch began, and the general sighed.
"Well, for students, you tried hard. As expected of Britannians. However your future..." The same handgun that had been used for Suzaku was raised, and my blood turned cold as it aimed at Lelouch. "Has just ended."
No. I lurched upwards, knocking the gun with my head as I lunged. "Lelouch!"
"Don't kill him!" A flash of green appeared before Lelouch, and my eyes widened as a shot rang out, the woman's eyes widening before she crumpled to the ground.
New found arms shoved me against the ground, and I stared with wide eyes at the woman's lifeless body, blood seeping from her head as Lelouch bent down, eyes wide. The general let out a regretful sigh. "I would've preferred her alive... Hmph. This is what we should tell the higher ups; we, his highness's personal unit, found the terrorist base and destroyed it. However, the hostages had already been executed by the time we got there."
I'll lunge up and they'll shoot. Plans and ideas ran through my mind and I ground my teeth, steeling myself for the fate before me. That'll give Lelouch enough time to run... I can only hope he makes it out...
"What do you think about that, kids?"
Lelouch's eyes were wide with disbelief as his hand shook, outstretched to the woman. My eyes struggled to meet his and I flashed him a small smile, nodding to the exit. If he dies, I die. If I die, he can still live. Lelouch shook his head, a look of frustration flashing across his face. It's all I can do...
The air suddenly seemed to freeze, and a pounding sensation racked through my mind as Lelouch froze, his eyes growing wide. What...?
The bond linking my life to his stretched, and I reeled back, eyes widening as images began to flash through my mind, and an emotion suddenly filled me, coming straight from Lelouch.
Hate.
Lelouch? My eyes followed as he suddenly stood, a hand coming up over his face as he let out a cold chuckle. Louch? "Hey, how should Britannians who hate Britannia live?"
"Are you an ideologist?" The general smirked, holding up his gun once more, but the smirk on his lips fell down and he frowned.
"What's wrong?" Something cold ran through me and I froze, watching with furrowed brows as Lelouch let out a cold chuckle. "Aren't you going to shoot? Your opponent is just a student. Or have you realized it?"
Lelouch's hand fell from his eye and I stiffened. "Those allowed to kill are the ones ready to be killed!"
The boy I'd known since a child smirked, and his eye seemed to flicker, a symbol appearing in those violet irises as the soldiers froze. "W-What's that?"
Lelouch?
"I, Lelouch vi Britannia, order you bastards to..." Lelouch smirked, his hand shooting out. "Die!"
The guns aimed at my head pulled away, and I shot up, whirling around and prepared to fight when the soldiers all aimed their own guns at themselves. A mad laugh left the general's lips, and he pressed the gun to his neck. "Yes, your highness!"
Before I could even process what was happening, echoing gunshots rang out, and blood splattered the floor and the walls as lifeless bodies fell to the ground. Something hot splashed the side of my face and I was frozen to the spot, shaking in disbelief as blood began to pool around the lifeless bodies.
They were all dead.
Slowly, my head turned, and Lelouch's once cold eyes blinked back into reality, and his eyes widened as he touched the blood that had splattered on his cheek. He ordered them to die...
I swallowed, glancing back to the now lifeless bodies. And they did.
What had happened?
"Synthesia." I paused, some part of me screaming to run, instincts raging to flee, but duty and loyalty ruled out all judgment, and I turned, meeting Lelouch's neutral gaze. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." I limped around the woman's fallen body, holding back the bile rising in my throat as the stench of blood filled the air. "Lelouch are you..."
"I'm fine as well." Lelouch put a hand to his head, shutting his eyes for a moment. I didn't know what had happened to him, and I didn't know how he'd changed—but something had happened, something was different, and Lelouch was no longer the boy I once knew.
Whatever happened though, I would be by his side.
"Lelouch, what did you..." I swallowed, gently reaching up and wiping the blood off his face with my sleeve. "What did you do?"
"If I could explain in full detail to you now, I would." Lelouch murmured, placing his hand over mine and gently lowering it. His eyes flashed to the green haired woman and he paused. "But I have obtained power, Syn. And now..."
His lips curled upwards and I paused as Lelouch's eyes turned cold. "I can change fate."
A cloud of smoke swept through the room and I froze, glancing around in search for my fallen sword. The weapon lay a few feet away, but before I could even reach for it, a Knightmare frame rolled in, guns aimed and ready. I stiffened, standing in front of Lelouch, but the ex-prince laid a hand on my shoulder.
I blinked in surprise, but Lelouch gently moved me to the side, a calm expression on his face as he faced the Knightmare. Is he crazy? I shook my head. No, he's lost it. This whole situation has just gone to his head—
"What happened here?" I stiffened as the voice rang out from the Knightmare. "What are Britannian students doing in a place like this?"
Lelouch was silent and I shifted nervously, prepared to shove him out of the line of fire. "Answer me. If you don't..."
Lelouch tsked, and a round of warning bullets went off, striking the area around us. The force sent my hair flying in different directions and Lelouch sighed, almost in annoyance. "Answer me!"
"Get down from there." Lelouch ordered, and from the side his eye flashed once more, and I frowned. The Knightmare remained in place, the woman within speaking out once more.
"Who do you think you are?"
"I guess it's useless without direct eye contact." Lelouch murmured, and I shook my head, trying to figure out this situation. "Syn, follow my lead."
The boy stepped out, raising his hands and I followed suit, holding back a frown as Lelouch spoke up. "I'm Alan Spacer, my father's a Duke. And this is my bodyguard, Lily Ford."
Couldn't you make a cooler name? I inwardly sighed, but Lelouch swept on. "There are I.D's in our pockets. I would like to request protection after you check it."
There was a moment of silence and I shifted, it was a tough story to buy in a situation like this...
A hiss filled the room and the hatch opened up, a tall, slender woman stepping out as she held a gun to us. "Keep your hands up; I'll grab the ID cards myself."
A smirk touched Lelouch's lips. "Give me your Knightmare."
I turned to my friend in surprise, prepared to leap out of the line of fire. That's it, he's lost it. Louch has finally gone off the deep end and—
The woman blinked, flipping her gun and holding it out to us as she tossed Lelouch the keys to her Knightmare. "Alright, the access code is XG2IG2D4."
The boy caught the key with ease and I blinked, glancing from the woman to Lelouch. What the hell?
"Syn." I flinched, snapping to attention as Lelouch glanced to me, holding his hand out to board the Knightmare. "Come."
I don't understand. I jogged over to the boy I had known for so many years, my leg screeching in protest. I found myself gazing up as he gazed down, his hand held out to me, waiting. Lelouch, what's happened?
My hand gripped his tightly, firmly, and the lever rose up, brining us into the Knightmare hatch.
What's going on?
Thank you all for the favorites, alerts, and reviews! :D I honestly am glad that you all seem to enjoy my story so far, and I can only hope that it stays that way.
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!
I hope you all enjoyed the second chapter, and that you'll look forward to more!
Marshmellow-
-OUT!